Type 2 Diabetes - Five Foods to Avoid if You Have Diabetes

Type 2 Diabetes - Five Foods to Avoid if You Have Diabetes

While convenience foods serve the purpose of being healthy and convenient, they are not the healthiest option for anyone. Convenience foods are often full of sodium, sugar and artificial ingredients. Convenience foods can also contain a hefty dose of refined carbohydrates that throw your blood sugar out of whack.

Here are the top convenience products that raise your blood sugar...

1. Frozen dinners.Frozen dinners are notorious for containing tons of added sodium, not to mention additives. It's best to skip these and make as much of your food as possible. If you're short on time, throw together a salad with lots of vegetables and a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

2. Soda and juice.Both soda and juice are loaded with sugar! So don't let diet soda fool you. Diet soda contains artificial sweeteners that are just as harmful as refined sugar. Skip the soda and fruit juice and choose clear sparkling water sweetened with a splash of fresh lemon or lime juice.

3. Granola bars.Often considered a healthy snack choice, granola bars can contain as much sugar as a candy bar! If granola bars are your favorite snack, be sure to read the nutrition label and skip anything that lists sugar as one of the first ingredients. Try sticking with a granola bar that's naturally sweetened with ingredients like dried fruit, raw honey, or pure maple syrup.

4. Flavored yogurt.While flavored yogurt is a convenient choice for breakfast or snack, it contains a lot of sugar. The good news is that you can still enjoy yogurt. Choose unsweetened, full-fat Greek yogurt and sweeten it yourself with fresh fruit and a drizzle of honey.

5. Protein shakes.While not all protein shakes are unhealthy, many protein powders contain added sugar and artificial ingredients. Added unhealthy ingredients can put a lot of strain on the digestive system, trigger inflammation and also lead to blood sugar imbalance. If you want to enjoy a protein shake as a convenient snack, try sticking with a protein powder that's free of additional ingredients: protein powders like collagen protein or hemp protein.

While convenience foods can make eating on the go easier, they aren't all healthy and can lead to a variety of problems when it comes to balancing blood sugar levels. Skip the foods on this list and choose one of the following healthier, convenient food options...

• a piece of fruit with a handful of nuts,

• full-fat unsweetened yogurt with fruit,

• a bowl of oats overnight or

• Avocado toast.

Inspired by Beverleigh H Piepers